16 Jan 2014

179 Upper Iowa University students receive fall academic honors

By Monica Bayer Heaton

FAYETTE, IA (01/16/2014)(readMedia)-- The Upper Iowa University Athletic Department will recognize 179 student-athletes who earned a spot on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll on Friday, Jan. 24 between the men's and women's basketball games against Concorida University, St. Paul.

"We are thrilled to announce the Athletic Director's Honor Roll for the Fall semester," Brandi Rideout, the Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services said. "We had a significant increase of student-athletes achieving a 3.2 GPA this past fall which is a testament to their hard work and commitment to academic success. We congratulate them and are very proud of their accomplishments in the classroom."

To earn consideration for the Athletic Director's Honor Roll, a student-athlete must have earned a minimum 3.20 grade-point average during the 2013 Fall semester. In years past, the standard was 3.0 but was raised last year to encourage Upper Iowa student-athletes to achieve at a higher level in the classroom.

Also, 32 student-athletes held a perfect 4.0 GPA during the fall semester (indicated with a * below), while 17 of these student-athletes (marked by a # below) hold a perfect GPA in their respective careers at UIU.

"These awards confirm our belief that academic-achievement and graduation is the number one reason why our student-athletes are here at Upper Iowa University," David Miller, the UIU Director of Athletics said. "This is a testament to the coaches here, and the quality of character in the student-athletes they recruit."

Currently the men's golf team has the highest male team career GPA at 3.30, while the women's golf team has the highest female team career GPA - 3.65.

Earlier this year, 34 student-athletes were named to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference All-Academic Teams in the fall of 2013. To be eligible for this honor, the student-athlete must be a member of the varsity traveling team and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or better. Also, the student-athlete must have reached sophomore academic and athletic standing at the institution represented with one full year completed at their institution.

Please see the list below to view all of the student-athletes being honored from your area.

Cheyenne Burnett of Rock Falls, IL, a member of the Softball

Paige Davis of Rock Falls, IL, a member of the Women's Cross Country

Haylie Franklin of Muscatine, IA, a member of the Women's Volleyball

About Upper Iowa University Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to more than 6,200 students-nationally and internationally-at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and self-paced degree program. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.

16 Jan 2014

Simon urges bipartisan support for Illinois farmers, consumers

By Ted Nelson

Continues push to preserve food stamp funding

SPRINGFIELD - Jan. 16, 2014. With Congress poised to tackle expansive agriculture legislation in the upcoming weeks, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is leading state-level discussions on the possible impact it will have on rural Illinois residents. During a meeting of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council (GRAC) today, Simon said she wants the farm bill to preserve the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) so that low-income residents can afford healthy food.

"A total of 49 million Americans live in households that are food insecure," Simon said. "Too often they have to choose between paying for food, rent, medicine or heat. SNAP helps address those incredibly difficult choices. We should work together to strengthen, not weaken SNAP."

A representative of Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), a member of the 2013 Farm Bill Conference Committee, provided a status report on the bill negotiations during the GRAC meeting. Representatives of the Illinois Farm Bureau also spoke about the importance of federal action to pass the farm bill.

Simon has submitted two letters to Congress in recent months, one asking that SNAP be protected from devastating cuts and another advocating for a well-crafted Hunger-Free Communities Incentives Grant that provides incentives for SNAP recipients to buy local food. The grant provision, currently in the Senate version of the farm bill, is a win for consumers, who increase their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, and a win for farmers, who enjoy increased revenues, said Simon.

State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) also discussed progress of the Education Funding Advisory Committee, which is examining the state's current education funding system and plans to propose a system that provides adequate, equitable, transparent, and accountable distribution of funds to school districts that will prepare students for achievement and success after high school. Simon, who serves as the state's point person on education reform, testified before the committee this week regarding inequities that often hamper rural school districts in Illinois.

Established by Governor's executive order and chaired by Simon, the GRAC is tasked with improving delivery of state services to rural Illinois and expanding opportunities for rural residents to enhance their quality of life.  Under Simon's leadership, the GRAC has worked to expand access to locally grown, healthy foods and enhance emergency medical services (EMS) in rural areas, as well as other rural issues.

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16 Jan 2014

Can Boys Succeed With Common Core?

By Ginny Grimsley
Veteran Teacher Shares Tips for Motivating Them to Tackle
the Hard Stuff

By now, it has become apparent to academics, administrators, parents and teachers that, in general, boys are underperforming in school, says Edmond J. Dixon, Ph.D, a veteran educator and international expert who offers enhanced teaching techniques for boys.

And it may get worse, he says.

It will take some creativity to teach some elements of Common Core, the educational initiative set to be implemented throughout most of the United States, in a way that's conducive to how most boys best learn, Dixon says.

Common Core has been criticized by educators and other experts as demanding standards that are static, arbitrary and generally antithetical to creativity and innovation. Yet initial results in Kentucky, the first state to use the program, have been positive. The state's graduation rate increased 6 percent from 2010 to 2013, and the percentage of college-ready students increased 20 percent.

"Any parent or teacher who wants a boy to be successful with Common Core must understand two crucial ideas: motivated engagement and discretionary effort," says Dixon, who has more than three decades experience as a teacher, is a parent of boys, and is the author of "Helping Boys Learn: Six Secrets for Your Son's Success in School," (HelpingBoysLearn.com), which features tailored editions for parents and teachers.

Because the new curriculum is designed to improve critical thinking, which requires a deep understanding of the material, boys must be both motivated and deeply engaged to learn, he says. That's what it will take for them to independently put in the necessary hard work involved in learning - discretionary effort - without nagging, he says.

"Only by doing this will they be able to meet the new learning requirements; we are already seeing the negative consequences of not doing this with boys, and I fear it will just get worse," says Dixon, adding that his approach inspires a boy's motivated engagement.

He offers two real-life examples that reveal volumes about how the male brain works:

• Boys need a worthy challenge: Both NBA greats, who have long since been great friends, are eager to talk about their former rival. Both say that they simply would not have had the same legendary career without the rivalry; it made them better. When Johnson left the NBA, Bird said he just wasn't as interested in the game.

The male brain responds to a challenge it deem worthy. A student, who daydreams during algebra class and appears lazy, may also pour attention and effort into mastering a skateboarding trick. Constructing a challenge for the male student will do wonders to engage his learning.

•   Boys crave legitimacy. Think about all the colleges in the United States; now imagine trying to craft an NFL playoff-style system that fairly selects the No.1 college football team. Does it seem impossible? Aren't there too many teams?

The NCAA has been trying to figure out a system for establishing a legitimate No. 1 team for decades, and it's finally going to implement one next season. Whether or not it'll work, the effort put into such an endeavor has been considerable. Why so much time and energy for a game?

Because the male brain craves legitimacy; boys will only agree that something is meaningful or valuable if there is a valid process for establishing that value. In the classroom, helping boys understand why and how learning a concept, skill or calculation has value for them will go a long way toward motivating them to learn.

About Dr. Edmond J. Dixon

A pioneer in the field of cognitive-kinesthetics for learning, Edmond J. Dixon, Ph.D., is a human development specialist with more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, administrator, writer, researcher - and parent of boys. He is the founder of the KEEN Differentiated Learning Group, an organization dedicated to helping struggling learners, and the creator of KEEN 5X, a series of strategies for classroom engagement and learning that were have been used with more than 50,000 students and teachers. His previous books, "KEEN For Learning" and "Literacy Through Drama," have been used by educators to improve classroom learning. A dynamic and popular presenter, he has spoken throughout North America on education and human development topics. .

16 Jan 2014

MALLARDS' HEEMSKERK TO AHL'S WORCESTER SHARKS; MALLARDS SIGN FOX, NIEDERT; NIKIFOROV PLACED ON IR

By Brian Lavelle
MOLINE, Ill. (January 16, 2014) - Quad City Mallards goaltender Thomas Heemskerk has joined the American Hockey League's Worcester Sharks on a professional tryout agreement while the Mallards have signed forward Justin Fox and goaltender Nick Niedert and placed forward Vladimir Nikiforv on seven-day injured reserve, the Mallards announced today.

Heemskerk, 23, ranks second in the Central Hockey League in goals against average (2.45) and save percentage (.920) and is tied for third in shutouts (2).  The 6' 0", 210-pound Chilliwack, British Columbia native has suffered just one regulation loss this season, going 9-1-4 in 15 games.  Heemskerk is unbeaten in regulation in his last five games, a stretch during which he has posted a 4-0-1 record, a 1.57 goals against average, a .944 save percentage and two shutouts.  Last week Heemskerk was named CHL Goaltender of the Week.

This is Heemskerk's third AHL call-up this season.  The third year netminder joined the Iowa Wild for a pair of stints as a back-up earlier in the campaign.  Heemskerk is no stranger to Worcester, having seen action for the Sharks each of the last two seasons.  Over two games last year with the San Jose Sharks' top affiliate, Heemskerk turned aside 27 of the 29 shots he faced in 67 minutes, turning in a 1.79 goals against average and a .931 save percentage.  In four games with Worcester in 2011-12, he went 0-1-0 with a 2.14 goals against average and a .921 save percentage.

Heemskerk spent the bulk of his first two seasons in the ECHL.  Last year he went 14-17-3 with a 3.10 goals against average and a .906 save percentage in 38 games with the San Francisco Bulls.  Heemskerk began his professional career in 2011-12 with the ECHL's Stockton Thunder, for whom he posted a record of 13-12-0 along with a 3.27 goals against average and a .893 save percentage in 25 games.

Heemskerk turned pro after four years in the major junior Western Hockey League. In his final WHL campaign, he finished second in the league in minutes (3,841), third in saves (2041) and fifth in wins (36) while recording a 2.94 goals against average, a .908 save percentage and a pair of shutouts in 65 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors.

The 2010-11 season was the second straight campaign during which Heemskerk landed among the league leaders. In 2009-10, while tending goal for the Everett Silvertips, he topped the Western League in save percentage (.927), finished third in goals against average (2.34) and was tied for seventh in shutouts (4) while going 24-12-4 in 42 games. Heemskerk's efforts helped the Silvertips earn a share of the United States Division title. Heemskerk joined Everett midway through the 2008-09 season after spending his first year and a half in the WHL with the Kootenay Ice.

Fox joins the Mallards from the Southern Professional Hockey League's Huntsville Havoc.  The 26-year old Whitby, Ontario, native leads the SPHL in points (40), is tied for the league lead in assists (24) and is tied for fourth in goals (16).  Tuesday Fox was named SPHL Player of the Week after piling up three goals and three assists in two games last weekend.

The 6' 0", 190-pound Fox split last season between Huntsville and the CHL's Tulsa Oilers.  Fox scored twice and totaled 11 points in 23 games with Tulsa.  He recorded ten goals and 21 points in 24 SPHL regular season games and produced three goals and four assists in eight playoff games while helping the Havoc to the SPHL finals.  As a rookie in 2011-12, Fox notched 22 goals and totaled 46 points in 52 games for Huntsville.

Before arriving in Huntsville, Fox played four seasons of college hockey- two for Salem State College and, after transferring, two for the State University of New York-Oswego.  He registered 58 goals and 153 points in 104 career collegiate games.  In 2009-10 and 2010-11 he helped propel Oswego to both the State University of New York Athletic Conference title and a berth in the NCAA Division III Frozen Four.

Niedert rejoins the Mallards from the Danville Dashers of the Federal Hockey League.  The 31-year old served as backup goaltender in three games for the Mallards last month before returning to Danville.  The 5' 8", 185-pound product of Hudson, Iowa, has gone 3-9-1 with a 5.05 goals against average and a .874 save percentage in 13 games with the Dashers this season and also tended goal in one ECHL game for the Utah Grizzlies.

Niedert played for five teams in four leagues last season- the Gwinnett Gladiators and Reading Royals of the ECHL, the Bloomington Blaze of the CHL, the August RiverHawks of the Southern Professional Hockey League and the Danbury Whalers of the FHL.  Over the course of his nine-year career, Niedert has played for 22 teams in nine different leagues after competing for five teams over three seasons of junior hockey.  He first wore the Mallards' colors during the club's 2011 training camp.

Nikiforov, who has scored six goals and totaled 20 points in 31 games, has been sidelined by an upper body injury.

The Mallards return to action tomorrow night against the Thunder in Wichita.  The Mallards next play at home on Friday, January 31 at 7:05 p.m. against the Tulsa Oilers.  January 31 is another $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X.  $1 hot dogs and beers will be available at iWireless Center concession stands during each of the Mallards' 11 Friday night home games this season.

Tickets for the January 31 game and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

16 Jan 2014

Farm Bill Update: New Cost Estimate Shows Grassley Farm Bill Provisions Save Additional Money

By Grassley Press

Thursday, January 16, 2014

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today said that a new cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office shows that his provisions to place a hard cap on farm payments and ensure that farm payments go to people actively engaged in farming save $387 million over 10 years, which is an additional $210 million over previous estimates.

Grassley asked the Congressional Budget Office to rescore his provisions after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report in October 2013 showing a great deal of subterfuge of the current actively engaged law, with one farm claiming it needed 16 active "managers" who didn't have to verify work on the farm.  The GAO wrote that the legislative language in the Senate and House passed farm bills would be an appropriate fix to the agency's findings.

"With a $17 trillion debt, any additional savings are a tremendous benefit," Grassley said.  "The majority of Congress backs these provisions and the last two presidents have been supportive of significant reform like this.  Both the House and Senate bills contain our common sense reforms.  It's a no brainer to keep the provisions as is.  It would be short-sighted to allow a parochial mindset to undermine important and necessary reforms."

The Grassley reform in the Senate and House farm bills ends some of the most egregious abuses of the farm program, makes sure that the farm program payments are going to those who need them most, and saves money.

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16 Jan 2014

Iowa Farm Bureau Works to Secure Strength of Renewable Fuels Standard, Crop Insurance and 'Big Data' Security at 95th AFBF Convention

By Andrew Wheeler

SAN ANTONIO - January 16, 2014 -- Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) voting delegates helped secure the strength and commitment to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) this week, as voting delegates took up the RFS and other priority issues for Iowans at the 2014 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

IFBF voting delegates joined more than 350 other state Farm Bureau delegates to find national consensus on a variety of legislative issues.  A high priority for Iowa is the RFS, which adds nearly $12 billion, or about 9 percent, to Iowa GDP and supports nearly 83,000 jobs.  Despite federal threats to weaken the RFS, Iowa voting delegates worked to approve policies to continue support of renewable fuels tax incentives for the production of biodiesel and to continue funding for next-generation cellulosic and biomass fuel research and installation of blender pumps and improved infrastructure.

Iowa delegates also led the charge to approve a new policy to protect proprietary data that is collected when farmers use GPS or automated software operating systems, available and readily used now in planting, spraying, field planting preparations and harvest equipment. AFBF delegates agreed such private and unique information gathered wirelessly and stored on 'Cloud' based computer servers should not be eligible for release under the Freedom of Information Act.

"IFBF farmers also worked to secure the prioritization of an affordable crop insurance program in the Farm Bill, which Congress still works to approve.  But we wanted to secure the national consensus and continued federal support for a crop insurance program to assure strong farmer participation.  Iowa has faced several weather challenges in recent years: a flood one year, drought the next, and in unpredictable weather cycles and uncertain markets, such a tool is vital to the sustainability of farming in Iowa," says IFBF President Craig Hill.

AFBF policies are developed by Iowa and Farm Bureau representatives of 49 other states to secure grassroots lobbying strength in the 2014 legislative session.

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About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to helping farm families prosper and improve their quality of life.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve economic growth, educational improvement, and environmental quality in their communities.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

16 Jan 2014

Governor Quinn Announces $16.2 Million for Road Construction Project in Moline

By Dave Blanchette

Project Will Feature Work on Route 5 Between I-74 and 38th Street

MOLINE - Governor Pat Quinn today announced a capital investment of more than $16.2 million for a road construction project in Moline, part of his Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. The project is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"Our investment will make sure this vital Quad Cities road receives needed improvements and upgrades," Governor Quinn said. "The project will also employ a number of construction workers, which will help the local economy."

All of the work to be done is located along Illinois Route 5 between Interstate 74 and 38th Street in Moline. The 41st Drive Connector from Coaltown Road to 38th Street will be widened and reconstructed. A new two-span plate girder bridge with a concrete deck, traffic signals and other work will also be constructed. McCarthy Improvement Company of Davenport, Iowa was the lowest of three bidders at $16,246,154. The project will be overseen by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

"These improvements throughout Moline will create additional jobs and ensure our roads remain safe to travel," State Senator Jacobs (D-Moline) said. "These improvements span from stabilizing bridges to widening roads for quicker travel throughout the district and will increase the overall economic development and job development throughout the area."

"This project will bring a new bridge, new road surface, and new traffic signals to a vital part of the Quad Cities' transportation infrastructure," State Representative Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) said. "Projects like this help us grow and continue to be a regional hub of jobs, commerce, and transportation."

"Governor Quinn understands the need to keep the Quad Cities' network of bridges, highways, and interstates in good shape," State Representative Patrick J. Verschoore (D-Milan) said. "These projects will make travel safer for all Illinois motorists, and additionally put area residents back to work."

The project is part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.

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16 Jan 2014

LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner

By LeClaire Chamber of Commerce
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Davenport County Club
25500 Valley Drive,
Pleasant Valley, IA

5:30-6:30 Cocktails (cash bar) and Silent Auction

6:30 Awards

7:00 Dinner

8:00 Live Auction

6-10 Music by Keep Off the Grass
Please RSVP by January 24
to First Central State Bank 563-289-2265
$35 per person paid in advance.
Make check payable to:
LeClaire Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 35
LeClaire, IA 52753
Casual Party Attire
To donate for the auctions, please take items to First Central State Bank
or email chamber for more information.
Everyone Welcome!
16 Jan 2014

SCOTT COUNTY EXTENSION CALENDAR

By Amanda Heitz

January 27, 2014 Private Pesticide Applicators Training, Scott County Extension Office, 9:30 am

January 27, 2014 Private Pesticide Applicators Training, Scott County Extension Office, 1:30 pm

January 28, 2014 Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00 pm

February 12, 2014 Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Management, Scott County Extension Office,   9:00 am-11:45 am

February 25, 2014 Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00 pm

February 26, 2014 Seed Treatment, Scott County Extension Office, 9:00 am-11:30 am

Visit our events calendar at our web site: http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

16 Jan 2014

Master Conservationist Program

By Amanda Heitz

Join Nahant Marsh for our Master Conservationist Program. Come discover the world around you. Topics include urban water and energy conservation, sustainable agricultural practices, and wildlife diversity in Iowa. Participants will receive 32 hours of instruction from March to August 2014, with many of the classes held at outside locations. Each participant is asked to put their knowledge into practice by volunteering at least 32 hours of their time to a conservation or natural resource related service. Previous volunteer activities have included prairie planting, seed harvesting, water quality testing, and staffing conservation centers. Cost is $150.

Registrations are accepted by mail or in person at ISU Scott County Extension and Outreach, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf, IA 52722. There is a maximum class size of 25, so early registrations are encouraged. Participants must be at least 18 years of age. The deadline for registration is February 21, 2014.

For more information, call the Scott County Extension office (563-359-7577) or Nahant Marsh (563-323-5196).

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